Central Moves

Use Pilates exercises to teach participants about stabilization, balance and core strength.

The core holds the body in alignment and allows the extremities to move in a more efficient and effective manner. Pilates helps increase core strength and stabilization by creating simultaneous demands for strength and flexibility. The result:
enhanced movement quality. The body moves the way it was designed to move. The following exercises move progressively from one movement pattern to the next—from a stable seated posture, rolling down to a fully supported posture, then transitioning to a position that challenges stability, balance and overall core strength.

Half Roll-Downs

Begin seated on mat with bent knees, hands around outside of knees. Inhale, and on exhalation, roll halfway down till low back comes in contact with floor; arms are now fully extended. Pause in this position, inhale, and then exhale as you roll up to start position. Maintain a consistent “C” curve throughout by drawing abdominal muscles in toward spine. Engage pelvic-floor muscles, feeling a lifting sensation—as if you were zipping up a tight pair of pants—as you contract abdominals. Do 3 repetitions, and end lying supine (face up) on mat.

Modification: Use your arms to assist you if you have difficulty rolling up.

Progressive Hundred

Begin supine with knees in tabletop position over hips, shins parallel to ceiling, arms at sides. Inhale, and on exhalation, lift head and shoulders, allowing arms to hover about a quarter inch off floor. Maintain consistent contraction in abdominals and pelvic-floor muscles, and vigorously pump arms at sides, keeping arms straight and rigid. Reach them long as you inhale for 5 counts and then exhale for 5 counts. After 3 repetitions, extend legs to 90-degree angle and continue for 3–7 repetitions.

Begin lying supine, knees bent, feet and legs hip width apart, arms at sides. Raise one leg so that knee is at 90-degree angle to hip and calf is parallel to floor. Inhale, and on exhalation, raise pelvis off floor until you are resting on shoulders in ramplike position. As you lift, keep trunk rigid and reach fingers toward feet to keep upper body stable and maintain core stability. Hold this position, and on inhalation, straighten raised leg. Exhaling, return leg to bent position; inhaling, lower torso to start. Do 4–6 repetitions.

Modification: Keep leg bent throughout exercise. Avoid this exercise if neck problems exist, or limit the movement to pelvic tilts.

Elbow Plank With Rotation

Begin in prone position (face down), elbows bent and close to waist, hands beneath shoulders. On inhalation, curl toes under; on exhalation, raise torso to elbow plank position. Push through heels to evenly distribute body weight. While maintaining elbow plank, inhale and lower right hip bone by rotating torso down toward floor. Exhale and return to center. Repeat on opposite side, maintaining strong upper-body stabilization throughout. Work up to 3 repetitions on each side.

Modification: Lower torso to floor between repetitions.

Thigh Stretch With a Twist

Transition from elbow plank to all-fours position, then to upright kneeling position, knees together. Extend arms in front of chest. On inhalation, lean back, rotating right. Bring right arm down toward ankle behind you. Maintaining neutral spine, continue to lean and rotate back until you feel stretch in quadriceps. Briefly hold this position, and on exhalation, return to start, pressing shins into floor to avoid overextending spine. Repeat on opposite side, and work up to 3–4 repetitions on each side.

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About the Author

June Kahn is an internationally recognized fitness leader and educator. She is the 2009 World IDEA Instructor of the Year, founder of June Kahn's Bodyworks, LLC™, and former Life Power Pilates Coordinator for Lifetime Fitness. June is currently a Pilates Rehab Practitioner with Masso Medical & Bodywork and is and special consultant to Curves International. As a program developer for many leading fitness organizations, June is also a continuing education provider for the fitness and mind/body industries, June is best known for bridging the gap between traditional Pilates and the fitness industry.
A Certified Pilates practitioner through the Physical Mind Institute, June furthered her education as a Rehab Specialist applying that to both Mat, Reformer and Apparatus work. A Master Trainer with Savvier™ Fitness to both A Barre Above™ & Tabata Boot Camp™ Programs allows her to reach the consumer and inspire them to incorporate more movement into their lives. She is the creator of many programs including Curves Dance & Tone Caffeinated Pilates, Body Bar Flex® Trek Walking & Active Ageing Programming. SCW Fitness’ Pilates Matwork Specialty Certification programs for the fitness industry as well as the designer of Pilates Bowflex Training Program for Nautilus Health and Fitness Group. A former Reebok World Master Trainer, June is an ACE, AFAA, & ACSM Certified Health Fitness Instructor and a Physical Mind Institute Certified Pilates Trainer with over 40 combined years of dance and fitness experience. June has trained with the Peak Pilates MVe Team and was instrumental in helping to launch the MVe program in its initial debut. In addition, she is a subject matter expert for the ACE (American Council on Exercise) Instructor Certification Exam. Currently, June is working with the Physical Mind Institute and is a vital supporter of their products and programming including the TYE-4 & Head Floater with local launches scheduled throughout 2015. A Cancer survivor and attributing her recovery to her continued active lifestyle and clean eating, June is now is an advocate & national speaker of Movement Heals for Cancer patients and survivors.
She is the author of Morning Cardio Workouts, published by Human Kinetics USA and contributes regularly to print and media including Shape, Pilates Style, IDEA Today, Weight Watchers, Living Fit, Fitness, Fit Pregnancy and Health Magazine, featured numerous times in the Boulder Daily Camera as well as appearing in over 20 DVD/Videos and is the Pilates Media Spokesperson for IDEA.. Heralded by Self-magazine as one of the "Top 20 Personal Trainers" in the USA, June has appeared on QVC, HSN and local media networks.
On a personal note, June enjoys spending time with her sons Jonathan and Joshua, their wives and her Grandchildren: Taylor (11), Zoe (10), Adam (4) Ian (2) and a new grandson, Tyler, who arrived October 4 2015. She adores traveling the world with her life partner, Dave, has a passion for dance, snow skiing, hiking and biking the foothills in Colorado and has been an avid run/walker for years... June loves the arts, the theater and of course, shopping! Healthy cooking is a hobby!
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